My friends and I are spending 7 full days there (not including days for flying out there). I was wondering if we should spend relatively equal amounts of time
in Rome, Florence, and Venice, or if we should spend less time in certain places and more time in others? Would like to see some famous architecture (Leaning
Tower of Pisa, for instance) and art. What do you recommend doing/seeing/eating?
Anyone been to Italy?
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 ipodconga |
Anyone been to Italy? |
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Posts: 14958 (09/03/2009 4:47 PM) |
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IHeartDrDorian |
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Posts: 10728 (09/03/2009 4:53 PM) |
I went to Rome, Florence, and Venice a little over 2 years ago. It was seriously the best trip of my life!
You do know that the Leaning Tower of Pisa isn't in any of those cities right? Florence is amazing for the galleries and everything. I loved just walking on the streets and everything. I would definitely recommend going to the Duomo (Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore) and walking up the Tower that's by the Basilica (Giotto's bell tower ). You get a breath-taking view of the city when you walk to the top. It is a really long walk though, and I wouldn't recommend it if you are claustrophobic. But it's seriously a beautiful view. You have to go to the Coliseum when you go to Rome. And actually go inside and walk around. It's not like you have to take a tour or anything, it's just breath-taking to see. I believe right around the Coliseum are some Roman ruins. You can just walk through them and up on the structures. I took some beautiful pictures there. I loved Venice as well. The bridge of sighs is a good place to go and just walking around the city. When I went (excluding flying out and coming home) I spent 3 days in Rome, 3 days in Florence, and 2 days in Venice. |
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babylulu |
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Posts: 26958 (09/03/2009 5:01 PM) |
I went but I don't remember much of it. I liked Venice but it smelled like sewer water and we didn't stay in Florence for too long (only lunch I think)
We stayed in Rome and my sister and cousin did the Spanish steps think and went inside a church.
I remember Italy being very pretty and that I wished there was more time that we had there. Our guide rushed us, so we didn't like it very much. I think you should spend more time in Rome just cuz I think there'd be more to do. I think you should go to Milan, you may not be able to afford anything but from what I remember the city is pretty. Actually all of Italy was very nice. Um, when you ask for water they serve mineral (carbonated) water so if you want non-carbonated water say "agua non-minerale" and you'll get non-carbonated water. They also serve peach ice tea when you ask for ice tea, so I liked that a lot. |
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YWorry |
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Posts: 4764 (09/03/2009 5:08 PM) |
Ahh, Italy.
Venice is easily done in 1-2 days. It isn't that big and you just walk everywhere. To be honest, we were kind of bored in Venice and wished we would have only spent one day there. Florence is a great city! Make sure you see the Statue of David and definitely climb to the top of the Duomo. It is something like 642 steps and it gets steeper and more narrow, but it is really worth it. The view is amazing up there. Rome can be done in several days. Colleseum, Vatican and St. Peter's, Ancient City, Trevi Fountain, etc. We spent about 4 days there and it was plenty of time. My friends and I are really fast tourists (go there, say 'Huh, there it is.' take a pic and leave.  ).
When we took the train from Florence to Rome, we made the stop to Pisa. The leaning tower isn't really near the train station so give yourself some time to walk there and back, unless you plan on spending more time there than that. All told, I think we arrived in Venice on a Saturday and flew out of Rome on a Sunday (8 days later). You can definitely do it in a week, but it all depends on how much you want to do in each city. |
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IHeartDrDorian |
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Posts: 10729 (09/03/2009 5:10 PM) |
I didn't think that Venice smelled of sewer water. But I guess it depends on the time that you go. I went during March. The weather was really nice there
during that time. I even wished that I had brought flip flops with me!
I'd also go to more of the restaurants that are off the beaten path. Like you don't want to go to ones that are on the main roads - they are more expensive. The ones that are inside the little towns are cheaper and better! They have a ton of cute places and delicious food! I remember going to a couple of bar when I went there. But I don't think that I remember their names. Except the Drunken Ship in Rome. That was a great one! (and I got totally trashed there haha) It's an American style bar. |
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YWorry |
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Posts: 4765 (09/03/2009 5:12 PM) |
Oh yeah! The carbonated water! I forgot about that. We would always just ask for "no bubbles". They seemed to understand that.
This lady in Salzburg tried to convince us that the water she sold us came from the mountain that way. She called it "fuzzy". Note to self: do not buy fuzzy water. |
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ipodconga |
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Posts: 14960 (09/03/2009 5:14 PM) |
You do know that the Leaning Tower of Pisa isn't in any of those cities right? I do now 
I'm thinking 3 days Rome + 3 days Florence + 1 day Venice would be good. Does it take long to travel to each city by train? Did any of you go here? http://www.bugbog.com/european_countries/italy_travel_guide/italy_travel_sardinia.html I know beaches aren't the highlight of Italy, but it's so pretty... |
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IHeartDrDorian |
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Posts: 10730 (09/03/2009 5:15 PM) |
No I didn't go to any of the beaches. I traveled by bus to each of those cities. So I wouldn't know.
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ipodconga |
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Posts: 14961 (09/03/2009 5:15 PM) |
they are more expensive. The ones that are inside the little towns are cheaper and better! They have a ton of cute places and delicious food! Thank you for that! Do any names stand out? Italy's pizza is much different from American pizza, right? I can't wait for authentic Italian... We're going in March too. |
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ipodconga |
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Posts: 14962 (09/03/2009 5:15 PM) |
IHeartDrDorian wrote: How long did it take by bus? |
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IHeartDrDorian |
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Posts: 10731 (09/03/2009 5:16 PM) |
Um a few hours? I was asleep half the time haha
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 Purplelilac82 |
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Posts: 16972 (09/03/2009 5:17 PM) |
I went to Milan, Venice Florence and Rome. Rome and Venice were my absolute favorite places
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taradise |
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Posts: 1043 (09/03/2009 5:18 PM) |
I spent 2 weeks in Rome, haven't been to any of the other cities though. We did everything we possibly could do. If you do go to see the Ruins, I'd go
at night - they are all lit up.
You'd obviously want to go to the Colosseum - we went inside as well and it's def. worth it. We actually attended a Papal Mass but if you don't have time for that the Pope comes out and blesses people from a window as well. The Trevi Fountain is better at night too if you wanted to see that. We took the steps up to the top of St. Peter's Basilica (which was an amazing view). If you're into art then you def. don't want to miss The Sistine Chapel or the Vatican Museums. I really enjoyed The Holy Steps or the Scala Sancta, it was actually one of my favorite things. We took an awesome walking tour of the city as well that I'd highly rec. |
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justinzjustifiedangel |
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Posts: 4275 (09/03/2009 5:19 PM) |
I only went to Rome [and for a day and a half because I didnt have time] and the architechture there is lovely. I did a tour, I have a total blank on who I did
it with but I am sure one of those Flight Centre's will tell you, but it was called the Walking Tour of Rome. Basically a guide takes you through the
important stuff to see in Rome [you can choose to go all day, morning or afternoon. All day includes meals and to and from hotel transport] with an English
speaking guide because the Italians were not very embracing of the English loanguage when I went last year.
I stayed at Kennedy Hotel, and on that street there was a few nice restaurants. Only thing is with Italian restraurants is they love to try talking you into the joint
Enjoy! |
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IHeartDrDorian |
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Posts: 10732 (09/03/2009 5:20 PM) |
Yea the Vatican Museums were awesome! The Sistine Chapel was part of that though. After you see the museums, you get to go to the chapel. Beautiful drawings on
the ceiling. It's amazing to see it in person.
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YWorry |
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Posts: 4766 (09/03/2009 5:20 PM) |
I went by train. Let me think.
From Venice to Florence it was about 3 hours-ish. Florence to Pisa was maybe 2. Pisa to Rome was about 4 and miserable! They claimed it was air conditioned but it wasn't, so the windows were open and the stupid blue curtains kept attacking me!
Another hint: don't go in August. Not only is it hot (it was over 100 degrees when we were there), but it is a popular time for the Europeans to go on vacation so a lot of things are closed. |
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ipodconga |
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Posts: 14963 (09/03/2009 5:20 PM) |
Purplelilac82 wrote: Do you also recommend doing Venice in 1 day? Kind of bummed we don't have more time.  Just making what we can out of spring break...
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SamDeanLover88 |
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Posts: 435 (09/03/2009 5:23 PM) |
Been there many times. But I would love to go to Rome and Milan. Never been there.
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Purplelilac82 |
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Posts: 16973 (09/03/2009 5:26 PM) |
ipodconga wrote: Venice is beautiful...spend more than one day there. Also, I agree with not going in August..it's sooo hot and prices are ridiculously inflated. |
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kNA |
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Posts: 9 (09/03/2009 5:31 PM) |
I've been to Italy 3 different times. Rome, Florence, Capri, Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, Orvieto, Siena, Pisa, Milan, Tuscany and a few other less-known
places. Rome is the most touristy but it's my favorite city, especially if you're a history nerd. Florence is also great, but it's a very small
city that you probably won't need to devote as much time to. EXCELLENT food and gelato.
I'd recommend doing southern Italy (Naples, Capri, Amalfi coast, etc.) if you have the time/money but if it's your first visit to Italy and you don't have the time, I'd do Rome and Vatican City first. I highly recommend going up to Tuscany and Siena to see the more rustic, old-world Italy. Absolutely beautiful and GREAT food.
Edited By: kNA
09/03/2009 5:53 PM.
Edited 1 times.
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ipodconga |
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Posts: 14964 (09/03/2009 5:39 PM) |
Tuscany is beautiful (as I imagine all of Italy is...) - is it close to Rome? |
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